How Traffic Jams Affect Your Health

Let us begin this discussion by reiterating the fact that nobody likes to be stuck in traffic. However, many of them have no other choice due to their job, school, and other daily chores. Public transportation and traffic control course may be a big help for them, but it still does not change the whole situation. For this reason, more and more people suffer from certain traffic-related illness each year, and the number of cases has reached such an alarming point.

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Those who are used to driving on a regular basis may assume that traffic jams are part of city life and it does not affect their health much. However, the real condition speaks otherwise as more and more drivers, riders, and other road users are diagnosed with certain diseases. The latest studies focusing on the subject have concluded that there are direct links that connect being stuck during rush-hour and developing the diseases. Heart attack, deteriorating lungs, and hearing problems are some examples of what the condition can cause. Thus, this article tries to explain how traffic jams affect overall health.

The Pollution

Pollution comes as part of big city life, and it is simply something that city dwellers cannot avoid. Scientific research highlights the fact that those living in rural areas are more likely to have a healthier mind and body compared to those living in an urban area. Pollution is one of the variables used in the research. From that information, it is safe to conclude that pollution is as destructive as traffic jams itself.

Contaminated air can contain dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and other chemicals, making it dangerous and lethal in the long run. Over the last decade, more cases of failing respiratory system are being reported, while those who have asthma testify that they prefer to live in the area where busy roads are not around.

Hearing Problem

Traffic jams can also permanently damage one’s ears since loud sounds often come with it. Let us not forget that sounds from cars and another machine can exceed ninety decibels, and high exposure to such a situation can gradually increase the risks of hearing damage. For this reason, many car dealers often improvise by giving an automotive silencer or a muffler which serves to reduce the noise emitted by the machine. Although it is indeed one of the greatest solutions to address the issue, people cannot depend solely on the device.